Over the last few weeks, we have discussed issues related to whistleblowing, security, and privacy. For this third project, you are to work in groups of 2-4 to produce artifacts that inform the public about one of the following topics:
Wikileaks and Vault 7.
Privacy Paradox.
Protecting privacy in the Cloud.
In our discussion about whistleblowers such as Chelsea Manning and Edward Snowden, we mentioned but did not delve into a connected group called Wikileaks, which is lead by Julian Assange.
For this first option, you are to investigate Wikileaks and their recently announced Vault 7:
After your investigation, provide a group discussion (round table or discussion panel style) in the form of a podcast or video that answers the following questions:
Briefly describe the history of Wikileaks. Who exactly are they and what are they known for? What do you make of Julian Assange and his motivations and leadership?
Discuss Wikileaks methods of disclosing information and how the organization operates. Do you find them to be thoughtful whistleblowers or reckless rabble-rousers?
Discuss some of the key disclosures Wikileaks has participated in the past. Which ones stand out to you the most and why?
In particular, delve into the recently announced Vault 7. Is there anything in there that is of interest to you? What did you find surprising (or not surprising)?
Finally, what is your overall opinion of Wikileaks? Do you trust them? Do you believe they are playing a positive role in public discourse by forcing transparency? Or are they a public nuisance or dangerous organization? Is Wikileaks a force for good or a force for evil?
Once one group member has posted this artifact to his or her blog, then each group member should create a reflection post that references the artifact, and answers the following questions:
Do the revelations in Vault 7 influence your views on government surveillance? Do you wish for organizations like Wikileaks to continue exposing secrets like this in order to inform the public, or do you believe that "ignorance is bliss"?
How do you separate the "message" from the "messenger"? In the case of Wikileaks, can you? Would you rather trust Wikileaks or say the US government?
Finally, when is whistleblowing the ethical or right thing to do? Is "honesty always the best policy" or are there times to remain silent? Can transparency be forced upon others? Is it desirable?
For the second option, your group is to listen to the Privacy Paradox series of podcasts from Note To Self:
As you listen to the podcasts, your group should try some of the proposed challenges or activities (including the privacy personality survey. Afterwards, your group should produce a results podcast or video that discusses the following:
What is exactly the Privacy Paradox? Why is it such a hot topic today?
Describe the challenges you did and what learn about privacy. What did you learn about yourself? What was surprising or interesting or possibly frightening?
Did any of these challenges change the way you think about privacy? Is privacy important to you? Explain why or why not.
Finally, discuss the trade-offs between privacy and living in our connected world. Can there ever be a balance? Do you want one?
Note: Everyone should participate in answering each question (ie. round table, panel discussion style).
Once one group member has posted this artifact to his or her blog, then each group member should create a reflection post that references the artifact, and answers the following questions:
After having gone through the challenges, have you decided to make any changes in your technology habits? If so, what are they?
In choosing between your personal privacy and technological convenience, which side do you choose? Is this an easy choice or a touch decision (or it doesn't really matter to you)?
Regardless of what you believe about your personal privacy, what do you think about privacy in general? Is privacy something worth fighting for or protecting? Or is it a relic of a by-gone era?
For the final option, your group is to replace a common cloud computing service with a self-hosted or self-managed replacement and then create a written tutorial on how to setup this system and a video demonstration of it in action. Here is a list of possible replacment services (feel free to come up with your own):
nextCloud: Alternative to Dropbox, Google {Drive, Calendar, Constants, etc.}.
emby: Alternative to Plex.
Kolab: Alternative to Google Apps.
Syncthing: Alternative to Dropbox.
GitLab: Alternative to Github.
KeePass: Alternative LastPass.
EtherPad: Alternative to Google Documents.
Tiny RSS: Alternative to Google Reader (RIP).
Subsonic: Alternative to Google Play.
iRedMail: Alternative to GMail.
wallabag: Alternative to Pocket or Instapaper.
After you post your artifact to a group member's blog, each person should write a personal reflection that addresses the following questions:
What trade-offs are you making when using the cloud? Have you consciously evaluated these trade-offs? What is your justification?
Is it ever worth it to manage your own private cloud services? Do you envision a future where you may use your own services rather than third party ones?
Do you have the moral standing to complain about encrouchment on your privacy when you consciously give away your information to third party services?
Your project is due at 11:59 PM Sunday, April 2, 2017. Individual reflections should be posted to each student's blog, while the group artifact should be put on a student's blog or a storage site such as Google Drive.
To submit your project, one group member should fill out the following form:
Your projects will be graded on how well your group addresses the chosen prompt, the quality of the presentation, and the thought and reflection in your individual responses.